A nine-year-old girl was put into care after her mother admitted to beating her with a mobile phone cable, leaving marks which were noticed by the school authorities.

The visibly upset mother, a 44-year old Moroccan woman who earns a living as a maid, was granted bail after admitting to having overstepped the limits of discipline.

The nine-year old admitted to the school officials that the marks had came from being beaten by her mother. Social services agency Appoġġ was informed, in turn reporting the matter to the police who immediately intervened.

Marched to court on Wednesday afternoon, the woman, whose identity is not to be revealed under court order, admitted her actions, communicating her intention through an interpreter.

Prosecuting inspector Paula Ciantar informed magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras that the minor had first been taken to Appoġġ and was later entrusted to a residential home.

Upon the woman’s admission, the court declared that it would put off judgment until a pre-sentencing report was drawn up in the minor’s best interests.

Meanwhile, the court upheld a request for bail against a deposit of €150 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. The court also ordered the woman to sign the bail book once a week, while placing her under a Protection Order which prohibited her from approaching her daughter in any way.

Pending proceedings, a probation officer would follow up both mother and daughter, liaising with the court in the hope of finding possible ways to “help the situation.”

Lawyer Dustin Camilleri was defence counsel.